| The following article is from the Autumn, 1987 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here. |
The Feeling of Practice
Sogyal Rinpoche, incarnate Lama, scholar and meditation master was born in Tibet and raised by Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, one of the greatest Buddhist masters of this century. After the death of his master, he studied extensively with H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He also studied English and philosophy in India and came to the West to continue his education at Trinity College, Cambridge University.
In his early childhood, Sogyal Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of Terton Sogyal, a renowned scholar and mystic who had been the personal friend and Lama of the 13th Dalai Lama.
Encouraged by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche has lived and taught in the West for fifteen years. He has participated in major conferences and projects with scientists, psychologists and healers in England, France and the USA. He has taken a special interest in making the traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings on death and dying available to the medical professionals and the hospice community. Sogyal Rinpoche also uses more traditional means, formal and informal to transmit the entire practice and teaching of the Buddhadharma to his Western students. His approach is that of the Dzogchen tradition.
Dzogchen describes the pri-mordial experience. It is the absolute state of reality which is intrinsic to our nature and is perfect. It is neither good nor bad, pure nor impure, wisdom nor confusion. We have lost the knowledge of who we really are. Freedom comes from understanding and knowing who you are, by recognizing our absolute nature.
Sogyal Rinpoche (1947-2019)
Sogyal Rinpoche
Just as each variety of flower in a garden has its own unique function and beauty, so do different teachers come to be known for the particular outstanding qualities of their teaching. It is said that Sogyal Rinpoche's special teaching quality is his ability to convey to his students the feeling of practice.
Sogyal Rinpoche founded Dharma centers in Britain, France, Germany and the US. He taught widely in Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand.
Sogyal Rinpoche lectured on Healing and Transformation in NYC on Nov. 5th and 6th, in the San Francisco area between November 7th & 19th, 1987, and a full-time retreat is planned for November 20th through 30th. The topic of the SFC retreats was Finding the Heart's Rest.
